TuteTibiImperes:Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

"I would say the lesson is not to be afraid of law enforcement, we're here to help," he said. "From the officer's side of things, we learn not to take ourselves so seriously. There's a lot of responsibility and power that comes with a badge but every once in a while we can step back and say, 'You know what, a lot of these people we're protecting, not everyone is a bad guy.'"

CruiserTwelve:"I would say the lesson is not to be afraid of law enforcement, we're here to help," he said. "From the officer's side of things, we learn not to take ourselves so seriously. There's a lot of responsibility and power that comes with a badge but every once in a while we can step back and say, 'You know what, a lot of these people we're protecting, not everyone is a bad guy.'"

Good attitude, but I'd change it to "Very few are bad guys."

I agree. Unfortunately, when you are constantly dealing with the worst of society, it can be easy to forget that.

Pokey.Clyde:TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

Pokey.Clyde:TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Nearly all, make that all of the energy companies, Halliburton, etc, make the employees back into their spaces. If there is a fire or emergency at the plant, the parking lot will empty out 3-5 times faster if everyone has to just drive forward to leave. Much more efficient for evacuation.

debug:Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

It's faster to pull in, sure, and if there's traffic, I'll pull in. If there's none, taking the time to back in is worthwhile.

Forward visibility is always better than rearward visibility, and it's easier to see cross traffic pulling out forward than backing out.

debug:Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

So we managed to start the whole 'back in or not' controversy tonight. Count me in with the 'do not back in' crowd with you. People who say it is easier/safer to back in are just plain morons and should be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and dangerous.For those who do it though there just is no amount of reason that will dissuade them.

Pokey.Clyde:TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

It's for the cops. So they can drive through and check your plates... so they can give you a ticket.I bet her name went into his special black book. "I'll see you later."

Silicon Sam:Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Nearly all, make that all of the energy companies, Halliburton, etc, make the employees back into their spaces. If there is a fire or emergency at the plant, the parking lot will empty out 3-5 times faster if everyone has to just drive forward to leave. Much more efficient for evacuation.

In my case, I drive a large truck with a long bed, so backing in is much easier in a tight space because of the ridiculously long wheel base. Unless I have TONS of room in the aisleway, where I can make a wide sweep around, I always back in.

Pokey.Clyde:And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

That's all well and good, until a pair of F-9750 grocery conquerors park to either side of you. Then if you pulled in forwards you can't see anything coming down the side lanes until your ass is out in traffic. If you backed in, you can see by poking your hood out and leaning forward.

When you are approaching a spot from the right-of-way, you can be aware of the entire area, when you are leaving the spot you are only aware of what you have LOS on; to me, it's worth the extra 10 seconds to back into the spot.

brandent:debug: Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

So we managed to start the whole 'back in or not' controversy tonight. Count me in with the 'do not back in' crowd with you. People who say it is easier/safer to back in are just plain morons and should be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and dangerous.For those who do it though there just is no amount of reason that will dissuade them.

You fail to see leaving parked between two fat ass suv's at a mall.I fell for your troll didn't I?

LoneVVolf:Pokey.Clyde: And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

That's all well and good, until a pair of F-9750 grocery conquerors park to either side of you. Then if you pulled in forwards you can't see anything coming down the side lanes until your ass is out in traffic. If you backed in, you can see by poking your hood out and leaning forward.

When you are approaching a spot from the right-of-way, you can be aware of the entire area, when you are leaving the spot you are only aware of what you have LOS on; to me, it's worth the extra 10 seconds to back into the spot.

And yet I have managed to make it through almost 30 years of driving without ever being hit or hitting anything while backing out of a parking space. Amazing, isn't it.

See, if you actually learn how to drive, you won't have to back in to parking spaces to be able to get out of them without causing an accident.

My all time favorite are the people who either pull through or back into a space at a grocery store. I like to park as close to the back of their car as I can so they can't open the tailgate or trunk.

brandent:debug: Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

So we managed to start the whole 'back in or not' controversy tonight. Count me in with the 'do not back in' crowd with you. People who say it is easier/safer to back in are just plain morons and should be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and dangerous.For those who do it though there just is no amount of reason that will dissuade them.

debug:Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

I'm gonna disagree with you both, and on all counts. First: either way, you're doing the same thing, just in reverse order. So no time savings. Also, you're as likely to mess up traffic backing out as reversing in, so forget that too. Finally- and the reason (all else being equal) backing in is better: you can see small kids and animals a lot more easily over your hood than over your rear deck lid, a problem that worsens with some car models and all trucks, vans, minivans, and SUVs without rear cameras or sensors. Additionally, you're less likely to overlook something in the 90° zone right in front of you than when craning your neck 120° to look over your shoulder one way and whipping your head 240° to look over the other shoulder.

And yeah, there are more likely to be small children and animals in the parking lot aisle that you two want to back into than the single parking space we want to back into.

Benevolent Misanthrope:Silicon Sam: Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Nearly all, make that all of the energy companies, Halliburton, etc, make the employees back into their spaces. If there is a fire or emergency at the plant, the parking lot will empty out 3-5 times faster if everyone has to just drive forward to leave. Much more efficient for evacuation.

In my case, I drive a large truck with a long bed, so backing in is much easier in a tight space because of the ridiculously long wheel base. Unless I have TONS of room in the aisleway, where I can make a wide sweep around, I always back in.

It's way simpler. Most apartment complexes require you to have a sticker on your car that identifies you as a resident. It's a lot easier for the tow truck guys if the sticker is in the same place (the back of the car).

brandent:debug: Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

So we managed to start the whole 'back in or not' controversy tonight. Count me in with the 'do not back in' crowd with you. People who say it is easier/safer to back in are just plain morons and should be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and dangerous.For those who do it though there just is no amount of reason that will dissuade them.

You know who else always backs in?/the cops//so they can leave faster///you also cannot baitch at them, so there.

brandent:debug: Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

So we managed to start the whole 'back in or not' controversy tonight. Count me in with the 'do not back in' crowd with you. People who say it is easier/safer to back in are just plain morons and should be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and dangerous.For those who do it though there just is no amount of reason that will dissuade them.

You're kidding, right? You're not really so dumb as to not realize you have to do the exact same thing backing *out* of the space? Which, incidentally, you're doing into an active traffic lane. Backwards.

You need to think a little harder before you jump into these arguments.

Back in the 90s, when I worked in downtown Phoenix, the Meter Maids were getting tired of being trash talked by the cops for not being "real" cops. As a result, when they found cop cars parked in fire lanes or with expired parking meters, they'd ticket them. Apparently, police do NOT get some kind of special right, people just look the other way. If they get a ticket, they still get a ticket, and it has to be paid.

It's one thing if they are actually responding to an emergency, but if you have parked your car and gone inside, that's not an "emergency", you need to be running code, have the lights on, responding to an immediate issue. Patrolling an apartment complex isn't an emergency.

And I thought the lesson to be learned here is that even the cops need to follow the law, but apparently that's not what this cop learned from the whole thing. Maybe next time he parks in a fire lane, they'll have to forcibly remove his car to fight the fire.

Pokey.Clyde:TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Except that with me, I have days where I can barely turn my head to watch in 42 directions at once, whereas if I back in, I've had the benefit of checking the area when I pulled up, and turned around.

debug:LoneVVolf: Pokey.Clyde: And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

That's all well and good, until a pair of F-9750 grocery conquerors park to either side of you. Then if you pulled in forwards you can't see anything coming down the side lanes until your ass is out in traffic. If you backed in, you can see by poking your hood out and leaning forward.

When you are approaching a spot from the right-of-way, you can be aware of the entire area, when you are leaving the spot you are only aware of what you have LOS on; to me, it's worth the extra 10 seconds to back into the spot.

And yet I have managed to make it through almost 30 years of driving without ever being hit or hitting anything while backing out of a parking space. Amazing, isn't it.

See, if you actually learn how to drive, you won't have to back in to parking spaces to be able to get out of them without causing an accident.

My all time favorite are the people who either pull through or back into a space at a grocery store. I like to park as close to the back of their car as I can so they can't open the tailgate or trunk.

Ahh, you're one of those people who argues that there's no global warming because it's cold where you are right now, aren't you? Ignoring the overall data showing consecutive years of milder winters.

So your one special pristine driving record proves the whole point? You'd base a whole argument in a single data point. Know how I know you're not a scientist? Or any other kind of rational thinker?

Oh and btw: as one of those people whose cars you park so close to that I can't reach my trunk? Yeah, I just jump up on your bumper and walk on it with all my heavy bags until I can reach my trunk lock. And give a few good jumps on the way back out for good measure. You should probably check your suspension.

brandent:debug: Pokey.Clyde: TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

Exactly. It's always faster to pull in and back out. If you can't look around to see if anything's coming, you shouldn't be driving to begin with. If your view is blocked while backing out, it's going to be blocked while pulling out as well.

So we managed to start the whole 'back in or not' controversy tonight. Count me in with the 'do not back in' crowd with you. People who say it is easier/safer to back in are just plain morons and should be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and dangerous.For those who do it though there just is no amount of reason that will dissuade them.

Except that you can use your mirrors far more effectively when backing into a space than you can backing out. It's not that I can't look around, it's that the vast majority of vehicles are shorter from the front bumper to the driver's head than from the back bumper to the driver's head, doubly true for pickups/SUVs. When cars are parked to either side, it means that you get a clear line of sight with less of your vehicle is in the travel lane. When backing in, you have complete vision of traffic around you. When backing out, you don't.

If you can't park your car in reverse with a minimum of steering adjustments you should be banned from driving. Backing your car into a space should be just as easy as pulling in; if not, you don't know how to drive or don't know your car well enough.

brandent:d be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and

I don't back into spaces in parking lots, but I do back into my garage and it's partly because I like just jumping in my car and going forwards, but there is also a safety element. There's a bunch of other garages all in the same alley along with other cars and sometimes kids, small animals and an occasional garbage truck. My windows are tinted dark and rear visibility is not great. I don't know what's out there when I leave. I do however know what's in my garage when I come home.

I wonder if that other guy complaining about having to wait for people to back in whines about having to wait for people to back out, because for any competent driver they both take the same amount of time.

Of course a lot of people aren't competent drivers. An SUV nearly backed into me a couple months ago. She was trying to back out and I'm waiting for the car in front of me to move. I should have been visible through all 3 of her mirrors as well as if she had turned her head, but she just puts it in reverse and starts coming at me. I honked 3 times before she noticed me and then SHE got mad and honked back at me. Maybe I should have let her hit me. I don't know.

She's from Alabama and moved to Baytown, which I suppose might be a step up. I guess. You'll find her working some sleazy strip club in 4-5 years. Either that or pregnant with 2 kids running around in her trailer.

Pokey.Clyde:TuteTibiImperes: Why would an apartment complex have a rule that you have to park 'head first'? If I can I always prefer to back in to parking spaces, it makes it much safer when pulling out.

And this is a load of crap. Unless you don't know how to turn your head and back out slowly, there is little to no difference when it comes to pulling out. Plus, everyone has to wait around on the asshole backing in to get out of the damn way when they're pulling in.

I thought you were going somewhere else when you highlighted that phrase.

gfid:brandent: d be banned from owning/driving vehicles. For those who think this do me a favor. Next time you park this way count how many times you have to look in a mirror both in and out and how many times you have to adjust your steering. Now do it again only parking normally (head first). There is no comparison. Period. It's right up there with driving with both feet left foot for brake and right foot for gas. I've known people who do it and it's just plain dumb and

I don't back into spaces in parking lots, but I do back into my garage and it's partly because I like just jumping in my car and going forwards, but there is also a safety element. There's a bunch of other garages all in the same alley along with other cars and sometimes kids, small animals and an occasional garbage truck. My windows are tinted dark and rear visibility is not great. I don't know what's out there when I leave. I do however know what's in my garage when I come home.

I wonder if that other guy complaining about having to wait for people to back in whines about having to wait for people to back out, because for any competent driver they both take the same amount of time.

Of course a lot of people aren't competent drivers. An SUV nearly backed into me a couple months ago. She was trying to back out and I'm waiting for the car in front of me to move. I should have been visible through all 3 of her mirrors as well as if she had turned her head, but she just puts it in reverse and starts coming at me. I honked 3 times before she noticed me and then SHE got mad and honked back at me. Maybe I should have let her hit me. I don't know.

Similar story, Christmas season '98. Guy in a hurry backs out of his spot, t - boning my passenger door. He admitted he didn't re - check his mirrors after shifting into reverse. Now, had he backed into the spot, this would not have happened. He would have seen me right in front of him.

Meh, I sent him a $700 repair estimate; he sent me an $800 check for not reporting it to his insurance. Honestly, I think he was afraid his wife would find out. Best of all, it was an old car so I never had the repairs done. Christmas was free with money left over that year.